Teri Zywicki: President and CEO

Milwaukee, WI – Longtime children and family services leader Teri Zywicki has been selected as President and CEO of Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI) and CEO of Centers for Independence (CFI), the parent organization of MCFI. For over 34 years, Zywicki has dedicated her career to improving programs and services for children, youth and adults with special needs. MCFI serves children and adults with disabilities, special needs and barriers to success, providing quality care and hope to more than 8,500 individuals a year in Wisconsin.

Zywicki joins MCFI following a distinguished 16-year career as President and CEO of SaintA, one of Wisconsin’s leading health care agencies providing foster care, education and mental health services for children and families in need. In this role, she expanded and developed innovative services statewide and achieved an agency revenue growth from $10 million to $35 million annually. During her tenure, SaintA became a national leader in trauma informed care, therapeutic practices that acknowledge the profound effects of trauma on the developing brain and help children to overcome adverse experiences and thrive.

Previously, Zywicki was Executive Director of PATH Wisconsin, a child welfare agency that provides family-based services in multiple states. As its founder, she was responsible for the start-up, expansion and administration of all services including treatment foster care, adoption, in-home therapy, foster family mentors, parent support and safety monitoring. Zywicki also served at PATH in Minnesota, first as Metro Area Director in Minneapolis and prior to that, as a Social Worker/Metro Director.

Zywicki received a Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Currently, she is chair of the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and serves on the boards of IFF and the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children’s Agencies.

Since 1938, the Milwaukee Center for Independence has been a leading provider of life-changing programs and services for children and adults with disabilities, special needs and barriers to success. MCFI serves as a leading community resource for Milwaukee County, providing quality care and hope to more than 8,500 individuals a year in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.mcfi.net.